"I'm thrilled to rejoin the NHL Network team and break down all the exciting storylines taking place in the NHL right now. Most importantly, I look forward to teaching the game through on-air demonstrations and continuing to show that Kevin Weekes can still be beat through the five-hole," said Stevens.
As a member of the Wild coaching staff last season, Stevens helped guide Minnesota to a franchise-record 106 points and 49 wins. Under Stevens' tutelage, Minnesota finished seventh in the NHL in goals against per game (2.51), and defensemen Jonas Brodin, Matt Dumba and Jared Spurgeon each recorded a career-high in points. Before joining the Wild, Stevens contributed to NHL Network's studio shows as an analyst and was part of NHL Network's coverage of the 2016 Winter Classic at Gillette Stadium and the 2016 Stanley Cup Final at PPG Paints Arena and the SAP Center.
Across the span of his playing career, Stevens served as captain of three Stanley Cup champion New Jersey Devils teams in 1995, 2000 and 2003. Stevens, who skated in over 1,600 regular season games, never recorded a negative plus/minus rating in any of his 22 seasons as a defenseman. Stevens was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2000 and was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007 in his first year of eligibility.
